Psa 135:3 Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

                                                                                                                                                   
This psalm calls on God’s people to praise the LORD. Three reasons for praising God were given:

1. Because God is Good (v.3a)
2. Because God’s Name is Pleasant (v.3b)
3. Because God is Great (v.5).

1. Because God is Good (v.3a)
God is good to mankind on earth. Paul said that He did good in that He gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons filling our hearts with food and gladness (Acts 14:17). James says every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights (James. 1:18).

God is so good to have provided for all our material needs in this life. Therefore, we should be thankful and praise His name. A thankful heart will praise the name of God. He will acknowledge that his blessings are from God: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2).

And the greatest benefit God has given to men is the gift of salvation. God is good because of His offer of redemption in Christ (John 3:16). God the Son came down from heaven and died for the sins of men that they might be saved (Romans 5:8). Yes, God not only provide for our physical needs, but also our spiritual needs. The spiritual blessings in Christ are far greater and more important than the material blessings (Ephesians 1:3). So there can be no doubt to the honest observer that our God is good and therefore should be praised.

2. Because God’s Name is Pleasant (v.3b)
Some names such as Cain, Judas, Ahab, Haman, Jezebel, and Delilah, are not pleasant to the ears; we will not name our children after those names. But names such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, James, Paul, Ruth, Sarah, and Mary, are pleasant names.

Yes, names are important. We name our children according to the character we want them to be. Certainly you will not name your daughter Jezebel but Ruth because you associate certain characteristics to those names. You know what Jezebel stands for and you would not want your daughter to be like her. Ruth is a much more pleasant name.

God is known by His names too. God’s names exceed all those names in pleasantness. The first name we find of God in the Bible is Elohim (Genesis 1:1). The prefix "El" signifies" one who is great, mighty, dreadful. It is also a plural word that suggests the fact that God is a Holy Trinity--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Another name, El Shaddai, suggests He is God Almighty. Another name, Adonai, suggests His Lordship, the one who rules over everything that exists.

And, the name God is known most frequently is Yahweh, which has been transliterated in English into Jehovah. Jehovah means The Eternal One and The Self-Existent One. Jehovah is the name God revealed to Moses: “I Am That I Am” (Exodus 3:14; read also 6:3).

God’s names are pleasant. Every name of God is worthy of our praise.

3. Because God is Great (v.5).
God’s greatness is not only seen in His names but also in His works. The creative power of God shows forth His greatness and intelligence (v.6, 7). Hence, the psalmist exclaims: “Our Lord is above all gods” (v.5b).

Our God is an awesome God. He is indeed worthy of our praises. Praise ye the LORD!